
Exploring the growing tensions between Israel and Southern Lebanon
The United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon have forced Israel to withdraw from southern Lebanon in a timely manner. This is due to violating the ceasefire agreement that came to light on November 27. This deal was signed between Hezbollah and Israel. The United States is the nation that first introduced this ceasefire. It has a purpose to end the war and follows UNSC resolution 1701 from 2006.
According to this deal, Israel should pull back its military force from Southern Lebanon gradually. At the same time, Hezbollah also removes its fighters from the Israeli border.
However, both Israel and Hezbollah didn’t fulfill the terms of the agreement on time. This delay raises serious concerns about the success of the ceasefire. To bring peace in different regions, parties need to implement the truce properly otherwise the situation becomes risky and dangerous with time. Proper efforts from both parties are required to bring peace and stability across the world.
UNIFIL has highlighted growing concerns over the destruction caused by Israeli attacks on Lebanon. These attacks led to damage the homes, farmland and infrastructure. According to different organizations, all of these actions are a clear violation of United Nations Resolutions 1701. This resolution was developed to maintain peace after the 2006 conflict. The resolutions call for a ceasefire between both parties. It demands an end to the fight, the removal of Israeli forces and the placement of the Lebanese army in the area instead of Hezbollah. To achieve long-term stability, UNIFIL highlighted the importance of this agreement, but the Israeli military opposed the UNIFIL. They chose not to fulfill their commitments and never passed any review. After this response from Israel, there is an urgent need to compel parties to international agreements to prevent further escalation and suffering.
Under the circumstances of the Israeli-Hezbollah acceptance, no side is permitted to launch an offensive and Israeli forces receive up to 60 days to evacuate southern Lebanon. However, according to the army of Lebanon, Israeli forces have moved further into some southern regions. The Lebanese army is working with UNIFIL and the committee responsible for overseeing the truce to remedy this. With the exception of UNIFIL and the government of Lebanon, UNIFIL has said that it plans on maintaining an eye on the region south of the Litani River to make sure that it remains free of armed groups and weapons. Given the ongoing tension and the requirement for constant oversight, this scenario demonstrates how unstable the truce is.
Both UNIFIL and the Lebanese army have to get involved in order to avoid more fighting and maintain regional stability. According to multiple accounts, a review of recent events shows an alteration in the way the Israeli military works. A pressing demand for “accelerated progress” in Israel’s military withdrawal was made on Monday, suggesting growing international pressure for de-escalation. But according to a Thursday report by Lebanon’s National News Agency (NNA), Israeli forces continued to carry out “extensive” operations in southern Lebanon. Following an Israeli military incursion, residents of the town of Qantara had to migrate to a nearby village as a result of these activities.
Israeli aircraft carried out strikes in the eastern Baalbek region, located far from the border, according to NNA. These acts show that Israel’s military operations have not entirely stopped despite the truce. The ceasefire signals a brief pause in combat between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been the deadliest since their 2006 war. Israel’s ongoing military actions in Gaza, however, indicate that tensions in the area are still high and that the broader war is far from being solved.